One up, one down

Beavers win against Southeast, but fall to Minerva

January 23, 2014

MINERVA - Just when it looked like the Beaver Local wrestling team was about to close Minerva out, the Lions found a win streak.

The Beavers and Lions locked up again in the Region 12 quarterfinal of the Division II Dual Team Wrestling Tournament on Wednesday, and the Lions would prevail again 33-31.

The Lions advance to the regional semifinals, which will take place Jan. 29.

Beaver Local coach Jordan Williams knew that competing against Minerva a second time would be a big challenge, especially from the last meeting at the Hoppel Memorial Tournament

"We knew from the beginning that it was going to be tough against Minerva," Williams said. "Just from the Hoppel Tournament, we knew they were going to be big."

The Beavers started off strong in the 132-pound class with Jason Keyes winning by majority decision 14-1 over Minerva's Sammy Southers.

The win streak continued with big points scored from pins by Clay Davis, Daniel Hasson and Morley Marsden.

The streak came to an end, however, starting with Minerva's Logan Fritz's 7-3 decision over Cody Riddle. The Lions won five straight decisions, including two keys pins against Quenton Bookman and Colton Bookman, and put the Lions ahead 33-28.

Trailing by five points, the Beavers relied on sophomore Dustin Martsolf in the 126-pound class to pin Ben Zbasnik. Martsolf needed to pin Zbasnik, as a pin would add six points, and would have given the Beavers the victory. Anything less would push Minerva into the next round.

"I just wrestled and tried to get the pin," Martsolf said. "I needed to get the victory and it was just tough. He's a tough competitor."

Martsolf wrestled strong against Zbasnik, and almost pinned Zbasnik on three occasions, but the pin never happened. Martsolf defeated Zbasnik by a 2-0 decision, but pointswise, it wasn't enough.

"I just feel that I need to work harder," Martsolf said. "We just need to improve and get better."

The season isn't over yet for Beaver Local as the Beavers prepare for more matches, including the upcoming Eastern Ohio Wrestling League championships, which are set for next weekend.